Liquid crystal optical apparatus and image display device

According to one embodiment, liquid crystal optical apparatus includes a first substrate unit, a second substrate unit, and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate unit includes a first substrate, first electrodes extending in a first direction, a first sub electrode, and a second sub electrode. The second substrate unit includes a second substrate and an opposing electrode. The liquid crystal layer is provided between the first and second substrate units and. The first substrate unit including at least one selected from: a first distance between the one electrode of the first electrodes and the first sub electrode longer than a second distance between the other electrode of the first electrodes and the second sub electrode; and a first width of the first sub electrode narrower than a second width of the second sub electrode.